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PODCAST

Nathans & Roncast

Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt

Each episode of the Nathans & Roncast features a deep dive into a single song. Hosted by Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt, this podcast includes conversations with the artists, as well as subject matter experts about the real-life stories behind story songs you know and love.

music music commentary

All Episodes

00:14:32

At summer's start, reflecting on its end (with Neysa...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/05/23

Michael recently recorded an album, “Blue Bayou,” with Neysa Ricciardi, and in this week’s episode, he speaks with Neysa about her songwriting process, the value of musical schooling, and writing for others. They discuss the song “September Sad,” which reflects on the end of summer.

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00:04:15

Some thoughts on memorial songs

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/05/15

This week we’ve lost some important people in our world. Aaron lost his brother in law, David. And the music world lost songwriter and guitarist Christine Havrilla. So it’s no surprise that Aaron has memorial songs on the brain. It’s always tricky to find the right song to play at a memorial service. Maybe you pick something that tells you a little about the deceased, or perhaps you want the song to make a comment on how we’re all feeling at this low

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00:13:16

To bridge or not to bridge?

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/05/09

It’s one of the most delicate questions in songwriting. Do we add a bridge to our songs? Do they need that little bit of variation, those different chords, that rising melody? Michael takes a deep dive into the question of when a bridge is necessary; when it isn’t; and do they really have to sit two-thirds of the way through the song every time? He discusses a few of his songs and how he employed bridges in them, using them to transport the listener to

en-US

00:13:16

To bridge or not to bridge?

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/05/09

It’s one of the most delicate questions in songwriting. Do we add a bridge to our songs? Do they need that little bit of variation, those different chords, that rising melody? Michael takes a deep dive into the question of when a bridge is necessary; when it isn’t; and do they really have to sit two-thirds of the way through the song every time? He discusses a few of his songs and how he employed bridges in them, using them to transport the listener to

en-US

00:03:59

Oh baby: The word songwriters can't live without

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/05/03

The word “baby” has been a staple of songwriting since before we were born. From “Baby Face” to “Be My Baby” to “…Baby One More Time,” generations of songwriters can’t seem to quit this word. In this episode, we take a historical look at use of the word in songwriting, and what it is we’re really trying to say when we use it. And Aaron talks about how the word has the potential to say something you didn’t mean. At least we hope you didn’t mean it!

en-US

00:03:59

Oh baby: The word songwriters can't live without

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/05/03

The word “baby” has been a staple of songwriting since before we were born. From “Baby Face” to “Be My Baby” to “…Baby One More Time,” generations of songwriters can’t seem to quit this word. In this episode, we take a historical look at use of the word in songwriting, and what it is we’re really trying to say when we use it. And Aaron talks about how the word has the potential to say something you didn’t mean. At least we hope you didn’t mean it!

en-US

00:34:10

Michael's tribute to Bobby Ronstadt

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/04/24

Michael remembers his cousin, Bobby Ronstadt, who passed away on March 30, 2025. In this episode, Michael recalls doing some of his own earliest studio work on Bobby’s 1999 album “Shadows in a Dream.” Michael recalls what a kind, warm spirit Bobby was. Michael features several of Bobby’s songs in this episode. “I want the world to know his music,” Michael says. The first song is “Lupe,” for which Michael helped arrange the strings; Michael’s aunt Linda

en-US

00:34:10

Michael's tribute to Bobby Ronstadt

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/04/24

Michael remembers his cousin, Bobby Ronstadt, who passed away on March 30, 2025. In this episode, Michael recalls doing some of his own earliest studio work on Bobby’s 1999 album “Shadows in a Dream.” Michael recalls what a kind, warm spirit Bobby was. Michael features several of Bobby’s songs in this episode. “I want the world to know his music,” Michael says. The first song is “Lupe,” for which Michael helped arrange the strings; Michael’s aunt Linda

en-US

00:04:36

The beauty of near rhymes in songwriting

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/04/17

When it comes to crafting rhymes in song, the perfect can be the enemy of the good. In a perfect rhyme, among two words, the ending consonants and the vowel sounds that you stress match exactly. Moon, June. Dance, chance. Night, light. But there are a finite number of words that rhyme exactly, and they may not match what you’re trying to say. In this episode, Aaron explains why near rhymes are so much more versatile.

en-US

00:04:36

The beauty of near rhymes in songwriting

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/04/17

When it comes to crafting rhymes in song, the perfect can be the enemy of the good. In a perfect rhyme, among two words, the ending consonants and the vowel sounds that you stress match exactly. Moon, June. Dance, chance. Night, light. But there are a finite number of words that rhyme exactly, and they may not match what you’re trying to say. In this episode, Aaron explains why near rhymes are so much more versatile.

en-US

00:25:19

Why "This Land Is Your Land" is surprisingly subversive

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/04/10

In part two of our conversation, Spook Handy unspools the story behind “This Land Is Your Land.” He talks about how Woody Guthrie had the idea for the song; how Pete Seeger helped him edit the song into the song you know today; and the important role that property rights played in the writing of the song. Spook played with Pete Seeger more than 50 times, and in our conversation, Spook talks about his interactions with the folk music legend. He talks about

en-US

00:25:19

Why "This Land Is Your Land" is surprisingly subversive

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/04/10

In part two of our conversation, Spook Handy unspools the story behind “This Land Is Your Land.” He talks about how Woody Guthrie had the idea for the song; how Pete Seeger helped him edit the song into the song you know today; and the important role that property rights played in the writing of the song. Spook played with Pete Seeger more than 50 times, and in our conversation, Spook talks about his interactions with the folk music legend. He talks about

en-US

00:19:13

Spook Handy: Why "This Land is Your Land" endures

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/04/03

New Jersey folk singer and songwriter Spook Handy is our guest this week as we take a deep dive into Woody Guthrie’s classic song “This Land is Your Land.” Spook wrote this wonderful blog about Pete Seeger’s role in helping make the song into what we know it to be today. In part one of our conversation with Spook, he talks about why he cringes when he and Pete Seeger are described as protest singers. He talks about how Pete Seeger helped make “This Land

en-US

00:19:13

Spook Handy: Why "This Land is Your Land" endures

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/04/03

New Jersey folk singer and songwriter Spook Handy is our guest this week as we take a deep dive into Woody Guthrie’s classic song “This Land is Your Land.” Spook wrote this wonderful blog about Pete Seeger’s role in helping make the song into what we know it to be today. In part one of our conversation with Spook, he talks about why he cringes when he and Pete Seeger are described as protest singers. He talks about how Pete Seeger helped make “This Land

en-US

00:08:54

Angels & Aliens: How Michael connects two very...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/03/27

If you were watching from above, what would your view of humanity be? Michael explores two songs that address this topic, one of which is Craig Bickhardt’s “Life With the Sound Turned Down,” which we play in its entirety. The other song? You’ll have to listen to find out.

en-US

00:08:54

Angels & Aliens: How Michael connects two very...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/03/27

If you were watching from above, what would your view of humanity be? Michael explores two songs that address this topic, one of which is Craig Bickhardt’s “Life With the Sound Turned Down,” which we play in its entirety. The other song? You’ll have to listen to find out.

en-US

00:03:46

Just don't use this word in songwriting

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/03/20

A song should be a concise vehicle for getting your point across. And in a three to four minute song, there isn’t much room to belabor the point, or trod ground you’ve already covered. If you can find the spots where you’ve used filler words, Aaron suggests using them as opportunities to say something new, and moving the narrative forward. But there’s one word that is more abused than any other. Learn all about the perils of filler words on this week’s episode of the Nathans

en-US

00:03:46

Just don't use this word in songwriting

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/03/20

A song should be a concise vehicle for getting your point across. And in a three to four minute song, there isn’t much room to belabor the point, or trod ground you’ve already covered. If you can find the spots where you’ve used filler words, Aaron suggests using them as opportunities to say something new, and moving the narrative forward. But there’s one word that is more abused than any other. Learn all about the perils of filler words on this week’s episode of the Nathans

en-US

00:06:32

Why 'Yellow Submarine' (and 'Sandwiches') spoke to...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/03/12

Michael talks about the songs that spoke to him as a kid. He highlights The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,” as well as the song “Sandwiches” by Fred Penner. Michael’s father, Michael J. Ronstadt (a.k.a. “Mr. Ronstadt”), covered the song “Sandwiches,” and that version is included in its entirety in this episode. Both songs appealed to Michael, he says, because they were silly. “What my young kid self liked about it was that it took you on a crazy, fantastical journey that you didn’t

en-US

00:06:32

Why 'Yellow Submarine' (and 'Sandwiches') spoke to...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/03/12

Michael talks about the songs that spoke to him as a kid. He highlights The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,” as well as the song “Sandwiches” by Fred Penner. Michael’s father, Michael J. Ronstadt (a.k.a. “Mr. Ronstadt”), covered the song “Sandwiches,” and that version is included in its entirety in this episode. Both songs appealed to Michael, he says, because they were silly. “What my young kid self liked about it was that it took you on a crazy, fantastical journey that you didn’t

en-US

157 results

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